Larry Harkness, pastor of Sand Springs Baptist Church, dies Jan. 12

Larry Harkness, pastor of Sand Springs Baptist Church, Fayette, died Jan. 12 from complications of COVID-19. He was 66.

A native of Winfield, Harkness served in the Alabama National Guard for 19 years and retired from NTN-Bower in Hamilton after 25 years. In 1995, he became a licensed minister and was ordained the following year. He was instrumental in starting Walker Baptist Association’s disaster relief team and served at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Harkness served as camp director for the Walker Baptist Campground in Nauvoo for seven years and as community church minister for Walker Association for 16 years. He had served at Sand Springs Baptist for the past six years.

Harkness is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Susan, and his two daughters, Stephanie and Tiffany.